Flush valve assembly

ABSTRACT

A flush valve assembly includes a valve body in which a flexible film, a hollow tubular member and an activation member are received. The flexible film has a weight enclosed therein which includes a neck extending from an underside of the flexible film and the neck is threadedly connected to the hollow tubular member located beneath the flexible film. An annular flange extends from a top of the flexible film and defines a recessed area. A central hole is defined through the flexible film and communicates with the neck. A plurality of ribs extend from an outer periphery thereof and a collar is mounted to the tubular member and rested on a radial flange of the tubular member. A disk of the activation member is engaged with the recessed area and a shank extending from the disk extends through the central hole and tubular member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flush valve assembly with a flexible film which includes a weight enclosed therein and the flexible film is integrated with the tubular member so as to prevent improper deformation during assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional flush valve assembly used in toilet is shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, generally includes a flexible film 31 which includes a peripheral flange 311 and a central hole 312. A tiny through ole 313 is defined through the film 31. A positioning member 32 includes a recessed are 321 defined in a top thereof and a passage 322 is defined through the positioning member 32. A neck extends from an underside of the positioning member 32 and is located around the passage 322 and includes outer threaded periphery 323 which extend through the central hole 312 of the film 31 and threadedly connected with inner threaded periphery 331 of a tubular body 33. A radial flange 332 extends radially from a top end of the tubular member 33 and four ribs 333 extend radially from a lower end of the tubular member 33. Each rib 333 has a stepped surface 3331 so that a ring 334 is mounted to the tubular member 33 and rested on the stepped surfaces 3331. The ring 334 is composed of two curved plastic pieces.

An activation member 34 includes a disk 341 rested on the surface of the recessed area 321 of the positioning member 32 and a shank 342 extends from an underside of the disk 341 and extends through the passage 322, the central hole 312 and is inserted into the tubular member 33. The flexible film 31, the positioning member 32 and the tubular member 33 have to be manufactured individually which increases manufacturing cost. The film 31 is deformed improperly when being sandwiched between the positioning member 32 and the tubular member 33, and the deformed film 31 might leads to result of leakage.

Another valve assembly is disclosed in FIGS. 7 and 12, and includes a flexible film 41 which includes a peripheral flange 415 and a central hole 411. A tiny through ole 414 is defined through the film 41. An annular engaging groove 412 is defined in an inner periphery of a neck extending from a top of the film 41 and a stop lip 413 extends inward from the inner periphery of the neck. A positioning member 421 includes a recessed are 423 defined in a top thereof and a passage 422 is defined through the positioning member 421. A radial flange 424 extends radially from the positioning member 421. A tubular member 42 is integrally connected to an underside of the positioning member 421 and an engaging lip 426 extends radially from the tubular member 42 and located beneath the positioning member 421. Four ribs 425 extend radially from a lower end of the tubular member 42 and each rib 425 has a stepped surface 4251 so that a ring 427 is mounted to the tubular member 42 and rested on the stepped surfaces 4251. The ring 427 is composed of two curved plastic pieces. The film 41 is mounted to the tubular member 42 from the lower end of the tubular member 42 and the inner diameter of the stop lip 413 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the radial flange 424 so that the user has to expand the stop lip 413 to allow the radial flange 424 to be engaged with the engaging groove 412. An activation member 43 includes a disk 431 rested on the surface of the recessed area 423 of the positioning member 421 and a shank 432 extends from an underside of the disk 431 and extends through the passage 422 and is inserted into the tubular member 42. The film 41 includes a bottom surface “A” around the tubular member 42 as shown in FIG. 10.

The tubular member 42, the positioning member 421, the activation member 43 are received in a valve body 40 which includes a top surface 401 and an engaging surface “B” which is located around a main path 402 as shown in FIG. 10. An inlet 403 is defined laterally through the valve body 40 and communicates with the top portion of the main path 402. An operation device 404 is located beside the valve body 40 and is able to push the shank 432 in the tubular member 42 as shown in FIG. 9. A cover 405 is mounted on a top of the valve body 40. When assembling, the peripheral flange 415 of the film 41 is rested on the top surface 401 of the valve body 40 so as to define a space 406 between the film 41 and the cover 405. The tubular member 42 is located in the main path 402 and the engaging lip 426 is located in the top of the main path 402. The lower end of the shank 432 extends beyond the lower end of the tubular member 42 and within the main path 402.

When the operation device 404 is not yet operated as shown in FIG. 8, the space 406 is filled with water and generates a certain pressure on the film 41 to make the engaging lip 426 seals the top of the main path 402. The bottom surface “A” of the film 41 is engaged with the engaging surface “B” to prevent the water from leaking via the main path 402. Water and air can be supplied into the space 406 via the through hole 414 to press the disk 431 of the activation member 43 on the positioning member 421.

When the operation device 404 is operated as shown in FIG. 9, the shank 432 is pushed by the operation device 404 and the disk 431 tilts and the space 406 is no longer sealed, water and air escape into the main path 402. The pressure in the inlet 403 is larger than the pressure of the space 406, the film 41 is then deformed upward by the water pressure and the tubular member 42 is moved upward. The engaging lip 426 is moved away from the top of the main path 402 and water flushes from the main path 402.

After flush, the disk 431 is again rested on the surface of the recessed area 423 and the water in the main path 402 applies a force to the ring 427 to drag the tubular member 42 as shown in FIG. 10. The ring 427 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the main path 402 so that the drag force and the weight of the tubular member 42 guide the tubular member 42 back to its original position. The film 41 is deformed downward to form the sealed space 406, and the engaging lip 426 is rested on the top of the main path 402 again.

When the space 406 is formed as shown in FIG. 10, the film 41 cannot seal the main path 402 by the weight of the tubular member 42, air is supplied to the space 406 via the through hole 414 until the bottom surface “A” of the film 41 completely engaged with the engaging surface “B” as shown in FIG. 8.

The first conventional flush valve assembly has inherent shortcomings which are that the film 31 is deformed when the positioning member 32 is connected to the tubular member 33, wherein the radial flange 332 of the tubular member 33 applies an upward force to the film 31 which is then deformed as shown in FIG. 11 wherein the two sides in FIG. 11 are not located on the same level and this is because the whole flexible film 31 is deformed. Once the film 31 is deformed, the space 35 is varied which makes the volume of water that flushes the toilet bowl changes. Furthermore, the deformed film 31 causes leak between the engagement of the bottom surface “A” and the engaging surface “B”. Besides, there are only four stepped surfaces 3331 of the ribs 333 and which is not sufficient to generate a drag force when water hits the stepped surface 3331. Therefore, the ring 334 is necessary, but the ring is composed of two curved pieces which needs extra manufacturing cost.

The second conventional flush valve assembly has its shortcomings which are that the film 41 has to be expanded to be engaged with the engaging groove 412 and the film 41 might be deformed by the expansion as shown in FIG. 12 wherein the two ends in FIG. 12 of the flexible film 41 are not located on the same level and this is because the whole flexible film 41 is deformed. Once the film 41 is deformed, the space 406 is varied which makes the volume of water that flushes the toilet bowl changes. Furthermore, the deformed film 41 causes leak between the engagement of the bottom surface “A” and the engaging surface “B”. Besides, there are only four stepped surfaces 4251 of the ribs 425 and which is not sufficient to generate a drag force when water hits the stepped surface 4251. Therefore, the ring 427 is necessary, but the ring is composed of two curved pieces which needs extra manufacturing cost.

The present invention intends to provide a flush valve assembly wherein the flexible film is integrated with the tubular member and does not be deformed during assembling processes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flush valve assembly that comprises a valve body in which a flexible film is integrally connected to a hollow tubular member and an activation member has a disk rested on the flexible film and a shank extends through the flexible disk and the hollow tubular member. The film has a weight enclosed therein which includes a neck extending from an underside of the flexible film and having an outer threaded periphery. An annular flange extends from a top of the flexible film and encloses a recessed area. A central hole is defined through the flexible film and communicates with the neck. The hollow tubular member has an inner threaded periphery which is engaged with the outer threaded periphery. A plurality of ribs extend from an outer periphery thereof. A collar is mounted to the tubular member and rested on a radial flange of the tubular member. The collar is located between the flexible film and the tubular member. The disk of the activation member is engaged with the recessed area and the shank extends through the central hole and tubular member.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly of the tubular member, the flexible film and the activation member of the flush valve assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view to show the tubular member, the flexible film and the activation member of the flush valve assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view to show the flush valve assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view to show the operation device is operated to push the shank of the activation member of the flush valve assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view to show that the flexible film is pushed upward by water form inlet of the flush valve assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view to show a first conventional flush valve assembly;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view to show a second conventional flush valve assembly;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view to show the second flush valve assembly is not yet activated;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view to show that the shank of the activation member is pushed by the operation device of the second flush valve assembly;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view to show that the flexible film of the second flush valve assembly is deformed upward;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view to show that the flexible film in FIG. 6 is deformed, and

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view to show that the flexible film in FIG. 7 is deformed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 5, the flush valve assembly of the present invention comprises a valve body 10 (FIG. 3) which includes a top surface 101 on a top edge thereof and a main path 102 is defined axially through the valve body 10. An inlet 103 is defined laterally in a mediate portion of the valve body 10 and communicates with the main path 102 via a flexible film 11 removably rested on the top surface 101. An engaging surface “B” is defined in atop of the main path 102 as shown in FIG. 5. An operation device 104 is located beside the valve body 10 and a cover 105 is mounted on the top of the valve body 10.

The flexible film 11 has a weight 117 enclosed therein which can be a copper piece and includes a neck extending from an underside of the flexible film 11. The neck has an outer threaded periphery 115. An annular flange 112 extends from a top of the flexible film 11 and a recessed area 113 is enclosed by the annular flange 112. A central hole 114 is defined through the flexible film 11 and communicates with the neck. A peripheral flange 111 extends from the top of the periphery of the film 11 and is engaged with the top surface 101 of the valve body 10 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. A tiny through hole 116 is defined through the film 11.

A hollow tubular member 12 is located in the main path 12 and includes an inner threaded periphery 121 which is engaged with the outer threaded periphery 115, A plurality of ribs 122 extend from an outer periphery thereof and are located at equal distance such that a discontinuous surface is defined by the respective top surfaces 1221 of the ribs 122. A collar 123 is mounted to the tubular member 12 and rested on a radial flange of the tubular member 12. The collar 123 located at a top of the tubular member 12, and between the flexible film 11 and the tubular member 12 to allow the film 11 to have a bottom surface “A” along the top of the hollow tubular member 12 as shown in FIG. 5.

An activation member 13 includes a disk 131 and a shank 132 extends from an underside of the disk 131. The disk 131 is engaged with the recessed area 113 and the shank 132 extends through the central hole 114 and tubular member 12. A distal end of the shank 132 extends beyond the lower end of the hollow tubular member 12 such that the operation device 104 can push the shank 132 when flushing. A space 14 is defined between the cover 105 and the film 11.

When the operation device 104 has not yet been operated, the space 14 is filled with air an moisture so as to provide a pressure on the film 11 to let the collar 123 be secured on the top of the main path 102, and the bottom surface “A” is engaged with the engaging surface “B”, such that water from the inlet 103 does not leak from the main path 102. Air is supplied into the space 14 via the through hole 116.

When the operation device 104 is activated, the shank 132 is pushed and the disk 131 tilts as shown in FIG. 4 so that the space 14 is not sealed and the pressure of the water from the inlet 103 is larger than the pressure in the space 14, so that the film 11 is deformed upward and the hollow tubular member 12 is moved upward to remove the collar 123 away from the top of the main path 102 and water flushes through the main path 102.

After flush, the disk 131 is engaged with the recessed area 113 again and the water in the main path 102 applies a force on the top surfaces 1221 of the ribs 122 to drag the hollow tubular member 12. The hollow tubular member 12 is then guided to its original position by its weight and the film 11 is deformed downward to form the space 14. The collar 123 is rested on the top of the main path 402 and air is supplied to the space 14 via the through hole 116 till the pressure in the space 14 is accumulated to engage the bottom surface “A” with the engaging surface “B” as shown in FIG. 3.

The weight 117 in the film 11 makes the hollow tubular member 12 be engaged with the top of the main path 102. The annular flange 112 is supported on its inner periphery by the weight 117 and provides sufficient stiffness which ensures that the disk 131 can be securely engaged with the recessed area 113.

The film 11 and the hollow tubular member 112 are integrally connected with each other so that when assembling the film 11, the film 11 does not need to be expanded or deformed. Therefore, the film 11 is avoided from permanent deformation.

Besides, the number of the ribs 122 is sufficient and the top surfaces 1221 of the ribs 122 form a sufficient area to cause the drag force by the water to pull the hollow tubular member 12.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A flush valve assembly comprising: a valve body (10); a flexible film (11) having a weight (117) enclosed therein which includes a neck extending from an underside of the flexible film (11) and the neck having an outer threaded periphery (115), an annular flange (112) extending from a top of the flexible film (11) and a recessed area (113) enclosed by the annular flange (112), a central hole (114) defined through the flexible film (11) and communicating with the neck; a hollow tubular member (12) having an inner threaded periphery (121) which is engaged with the outer threaded periphery (115), a plurality of ribs (122) extending from an outer periphery thereof, a collar (123) mounted to the tubular member (12) and rested on a radial flange of the tubular member (12), the collar (123) located between the flexible film (11) and the tubular member (12), and an activation member (13) having a disk (131) and a shank (132) extending from an underside of the disk (131), the disk (131) engaged with the recessed area (113) and the shank (132) extending through the central hole (114) and tubular member (12).
 2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weight (117) is made of copper.
 3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ribs (122) are located at equal distance. 